Reflections on Rock Bottoms

In working on topics today, I came across two quotes I wanted to consider. They are from contemporary artists whom I respect, and they show real insight and thoughtfulness.

"Remember just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there." – Robert Downey Jr.

"Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life." – J.K. Rowling

In relating these quotes to recovery, I find them deeply intuitive. In my experience, few people seek help from drugs and alcohol until they’ve hit rock bottom. The "down and out" theme often brings to mind a man or woman lying on the sidewalk with a blanket, a bag, and a syringe.

Let’s start with Robert Downey Jr.’s quote. He reminds us that we don’t have to stay in the shadows of life. We can rise from the dust and ashes to become something better. We can use our past not as a weight but as a foundation—reclaiming self-respect and self-love. As J.K. Rowling puts it, rock bottom is a solid foundation to rebuild a life.

To find that place, we must also accept the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:

"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made... I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."

With this assurance, we can begin the path of 12-step recovery.

From Søren Kierkegaard, the Christian philosopher:

"God creates everything out of nothing—and everything which God is to use, He first reduces to nothing."

Rock bottom allows us to find spiritual rebirth in the ruins of our previous lives.

From Carl Jung, a psychological influence on AA:

"It is only in the state of complete abandonment and loneliness that we experience the helpful powers of the inner Self."

This captures the idea that hitting bottom isn’t the end—it’s a sacred threshold.

From Psalm 40:2 (KJV):

"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

This scripture mirrors Rowling’s metaphor—being lifted from the pit and placed on solid ground.

So, when I consider the phrase "rock bottom," I immediately think of the solution—one that has its foundation in 12-step recovery, philosophy, and spirituality.

"Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more." – Doctrine and Covenants 58:42

"Our destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble, but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward." – President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Cry of Grace

 

Today while meditating, I found myself reflecting on the words Jesus spoke from the cross:

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

Was He expressing true abandonment by God—as though grace had left Him? Or was something deeper happening in that moment?

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The Echo of Psalm 22

To understand this cry, we turn back to Psalm 22:1, where David first voiced these same words:

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?"

David goes on to describe a moment of total weakness:

"My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death." (Psalm 22:15)

Yet the psalm does not end in despair. It moves toward trust and praise:

"Ye that fear the Lord, praise him... For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard." (Psalm 22:23–24)

By quoting the first verse of this psalm, Jesus was connecting His suffering to a well-known passage that begins with anguish but ends in assurance. He wasn’t just expressing pain—He was pointing to the bigger picture.

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Grace in the Surrender

Soon after, Jesus “yielded up the ghost” (Matthew 27:50), and the world responded:

"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose."
(Matthew 27:51–52)

This was not a moment of abandonment, but of divine fulfillment. The veil—the separation between God and humanity—was torn. By surrendering to death, Jesus opened the way for all to return to the Father.

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He Became Sin for Us

Paul later wrote:

"He [God] made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

This doesn’t mean Jesus became sinful. It means He took on the burden, the distance, and the consequences of sin. The cry of forsakenness was part of that weight. He entered fully into the human experience, even into the feeling of distance from God, so that we would never have to be truly separated from Him again.

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The Cry That Opened the Door

Jesus’ cry from the cross wasn’t a fall from grace—it was grace. Not the end of hope, but the doorway into it. He bore our separation, fulfilled the words of Psalm 22, and revealed God’s plan of reconciliation in full.

What sounded like abandonment was actually love speaking at its deepest level.

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Final Thought

When we feel far from God, may we remember: Christ has already stepped into that place. And because of Him, we are never alone.

Rise Up, Take a Stand, and Carry Your Truth

 

Dear friends,

Over the past few days, I’ve been searching for inspiration—something meaningful to write and witness. A single phrase has dominated my thoughts:

"Rise up, my children, take your stand, spread your truth throughout the land."

My first question was: Where does this come from? It feels ancient, almost prophetic. But when I searched, including asking ChatGPT, the answer was simple: this phrase isn’t found in any well-known religious scripture or classic text. And yet, its message resonates deeply. That led me to the next question: What does it mean in practice?

🔺 Rise Up

To "rise up" is a directive to act—to get moving. In recovery, it means leaving behind the life of addiction and stepping into a healthier, more honest way of living. This echoes the first three steps of Alcoholics Anonymous:

- Admit that we are ill, that our lives have become unmanageable.
- Believe that recovery is possible through faith and the example of others.
- Decide to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand Him.

For me, rising up meant calling for help, attending meetings, and staying sober one day at a time. These were small actions with eternal significance.

The Bible encourages us to awaken and rise:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” — Isaiah 60:1

And from the Book of Mormon:
“Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound.” — 2 Nephi 1:23

Even psychology adds weight to this idea. William James, a father of modern psychology and early influence on AA, once said:
“Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.”

🛡️ Take a Stand

Taking a stand is more challenging. It means having the courage of conviction. It means building on a foundation of truth. Socrates challenged us with these famous words:
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Apology 38a

In recovery, this stand is made when we take a fearless moral inventory and then admit “the exact nature of our wrongs” to God, to ourselves, and to another human being. We don’t just accept ourselves—we ask God to remove our shortcomings and make us whole. That is a stand worth taking.

Other voices echo this:

“A ‘no’ uttered from deepest conviction is better than a ‘yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.” — Mahatma Gandhi

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

From the Book of Mormon:
“Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” — Alma 5:14

🕊️ Spread Your Truth

Finally, “carry your truth” or “spread your truth” is more than just expression—it’s testimony. It’s service. It’s how we live, not just what we say.

In the 12th Step of AA, we’re called to:
“Carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

Jesus taught:
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:32

And in the Book of Mormon:
“…to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places…” — Mosiah 18:9

In today’s world, where news is labeled as “false,” truth is politicized, and conversations are often weaponized, spreading truth can feel overwhelming. But in recovery and faith, truth is lived. It’s humble. It doesn’t shout; it shines.

✨ A Prophetic Distillation

So while this phrase —
“Rise up, my children, take your stand, spread your truth throughout the land”
— may not come from a specific text, it feels like a prophetic distillation of what scripture, philosophy, and recovery traditions all ask of us.

It reminds us:
- To wake up to who we are.
- To stand firm in truth.
- To share what we’ve learned with love and humility.

That is a spiritual path. That is a recovery plan. That is a life worth living.

A New Pope, A Familiar Message: Humility and Unity in Pope Leo XIV

Today, Catholics around the world celebrate the election of a new pope—Pope Leo XIV. Out of curiosity, I looked up some background to understand more about who he is. CNN published a helpful summary, and I’ve taken the liberty of condensing it into ten one-line facts for quick insight:

1. Though born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV was considered the “least American” cardinal due to his long service in Peru and fluency in Spanish and Italian.
2. Pope Francis held him in high esteem, seeing him as a capable, thoughtful, and measured leader.
3. He is a member of the Augustinian order and emphasizes humility and unity within the Church.
4. He brings extensive leadership experience, including overseeing global bishop appointments and Latin American affairs.
5. With a missionary heart, his formative years in Peru deeply shaped his approach to global ministry.
6. He holds dual U.S.–Peruvian citizenship, underscoring his deep ties to Latin America.
7. His choice of the name Leo honors Pope Leo XIII’s legacy of advocating for the poor and workers’ rights.
8. Seen as a centrist, he unifies moderates and progressives, supporting inclusive church reforms.
9. He studied mathematics at Villanova and later taught canon law in Peru after training in Rome.
10. A tennis enthusiast, he also enjoys reading, walking, and exploring new places in his free time.

What stood out to me most was the phrase used to describe him: "the least American" of the American cardinals. That wording immediately drew my thoughts to scripture. In fact, Christ himself placed great emphasis on the least among us—not as unimportant, but as essential.

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”— Matthew 25:40 (KJV)

Similarly, the Book of Mormon echoes this profound principle:

“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”— Mosiah 2:17

There is power in serving from the margins—not from the top down, but shoulder to shoulder. Pope Leo XIV, shaped by years in Latin America and trained in the Augustinian tradition, seems to embody that spirit. Humility, unity, and service aren't just ideals for him—they're part of his lived experience.

It’s no surprise Pope Francis saw in him a thoughtful, capable leader. A man fluent in Spanish, Italian, English, and Latin—who spent much of his ecclesial life outside the Western world—is well-equipped to guide a truly global Church. Items 4 through 7 in particular suggest a pope who not only continues Francis’ legacy but may deepen it: caring for the poor, lifting those on the fringe, and drawing the world’s attention toward overlooked communities.

I also appreciate his designation as a centrist. In an era marked by extremes—political, social, even religious—a centrist voice can be a bridge. A middle ground doesn’t mean compromise of truth; rather, it can mean the courage to hold space for peace, patience, and process.

As someone who holds a degree in theoretical mathematics myself, I can’t help but admire a fellow mathematician at the helm—someone trained to think rigorously, step-by-step, and who understands both abstract reasoning and concrete application. Add to that his canon law scholarship and years of teaching, and you have, in my view, a man with both the heart and the intellect to carry Christ’s message to many.

As for his love of tennis—that’s a delightful human touch. We all need places to play.

In Summary

Pope Leo XIV appears to be a leader formed not by ambition, but by humility, service, and wisdom. He arrives with a calm presence, a missionary heart, and the kind of global awareness that could make a lasting impact in today’s divided world. His papacy is just beginning, but already, there are signs of promise—for unity, for inclusion, and for Christ-centered leadership.

The Promises... Shall Be Fulfilled: Recovery, Responsibility, and Divine Assurance

My friends, I invite you to pause and reflect on the word "Promises." It's a word of hope, responsibility, and assurance. We find it not only in recovery programs, but also in the writings of scholars, the thoughts of great philosophers, and most profoundly, in the words of scripture and the teachings of God’s faithful servants—whether they speak of a Higher Power, Jesus Christ, or our Heavenly Father.

A promise, at its core, conveys an expectation of fulfillment—whether material or spiritual. It implies trust, and it invites participation.

📘 The Promises of RecoveryIn the Twelve Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, there is a series of "promises" that follow Step 9—making amends. These are found on page 83 of the Big Book, and they read like rays of hope for the once-hopeless:

"We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness... We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it... That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear... Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change."

These promises aren't just milestones—they are living realities, fulfilled one day at a time, through spiritual effort and surrender.

🧠 The Philosophical Dimension of PromisesBut promises are not just spiritual—they are also moral and intellectual commitments.

Friedrich Nietzsche, in The Genealogy of Morals, describes the ability to make promises as a triumph of human memory and conscience. To promise, he says, is “to be able to stand surety for oneself.” This affirms a central tenet of recovery: personal responsibility.

Hannah Arendt, in The Human Condition, sees promises as the foundation of human community. In a world filled with uncertainty, promises provide continuity—just as the AA promises bring clarity amid addiction's chaos.

Immanuel Kant insists that promise-keeping is a moral imperative, not a matter of convenience. We do it because it is right—because we must.

These thinkers remind us that promises matter because character matters.

📖 Biblical Promises: Anchored in God’s FaithfulnessThe scriptures are filled with divine promises—not vague hopes, but covenants rooted in God's unchanging nature.

2 Peter 1:4 teaches that through God’s “exceeding great and precious promises,” we can “be partakers of the divine nature.”

Hebrews 10:23 reassures us: “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.”

Romans 4:20–21 praises Abraham’s unwavering belief: “being fully persuaded that, what [God] had promised, he was able also to perform.”

In recovery, we’re told the promises will always materialize "if we work for them." The same is true of God’s promises—they are conditional on faith, obedience, and endurance.

✨ Latter-day Saint Teachings on PromisesLatter-day Saints speak often of covenants—promises made with God, sealed by ordinance, and sustained by obedience. These sacred commitments are part of a divine system of transformation.

Mosiah 2:41 describes the joyful result of keeping divine promises:

“Consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God... they are received into heaven.”

In Doctrine & Covenants 82:10, the Lord declares:

“I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.”

Doctrine & Covenants 45:15–16 reminds us that the Second Coming itself is a fulfillment of promises made “unto your fathers.”

And in patriarchal blessings—those deeply personal revelations—we often hear God’s promises tailored to individual paths, contingent upon faithfulness.

Just as we "clean house" in the Steps and begin to taste joy through effort, God’s promises are not passive. They invite us to act, repent, serve, and trust.

🧹 Closing Thought: The Human and Divine PromiseWhether we look at promises made in AA, by moral philosophers, or by the Lord Himself, they share a common truth:

A promise is a bond. It is only as strong as the one who makes it—and the one who chooses to receive it.

Let us keep our promises to others and to ourselves. Let us trust in the promises of God. And let us live each day in such a way that we are ready to receive the blessings that have been spoken, written, and whispered to our hearts:

“He who promised is faithful.”

“Where Man’s Glory Begins and Ends: Friendship, Faith, and Glory Beyond Ourselves”

Dear Reader

Today I was reflecting on the many friends I’ve been blessed with. Some of these friendships began in college and have endured to this day. Others I’ve found over the past 36 years in recovery.

Searching for a poetic phrase to capture the meaning of these friendships—spanning decades and seasons of life—I came across a line by William Butler Yeats:

“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends,
And say my glory was I had such friends.”

As I meditated on this legacy of friendship, I found myself contemplating what makes these relationships so meaningful. It’s this: that we have shared experiences, common interests, and renewed strength born from overcoming life’s challenges—together.

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In recovery, we have found freedom from addiction and alcohol over time. As the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says:

“We are like the passengers of a great liner the moment after rescue from shipwreck when camaraderie, joyousness and democracy pervade the vessel from steerage to Captain's table.”

Fred T.—my drinking buddy and fraternity brother—preceded me into recovery by about six years. He was there for me on the day I needed and sought help. That bond of rescue and restoration is one of many sacred moments in our shared history.

Together, we have embraced self-examination—a principle central not only to recovery but also to ancient wisdom. As Socrates said:

“The unexamined life is not worth living.”

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These friends have discovered a spiritual way of life—rooted in service, community, and connection to something greater than themselves. You might call it soul-work. They are good humans who accept the brotherhood of all mankind. They demonstrate a faith grounded in the good of both Heaven and Earth.

Their daily lives quietly reflect the truth of Psalm 8:

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? ... Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.”
— Psalm 8:4–5

They seek neither pride, escape, nor control. Instead, they live with honesty, service, and grace. When Yeats says, “my glory was I had such friends,” it beautifully echoes the words of Christ when He said to His disciples:

“I no longer call you servants … but friends.”
— John 15:15

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🔷 Closing Reflection: Yeats, Today, and the Glory of God

In an age of isolation and curated digital lives, the reminder that true glory lies in friendship and faith is both timely and revolutionary.

I am deeply grateful for the honor of having such friends. Their presence in my life is a testament to God’s grace.

Let us remember: human glory begins and ends not in accomplishments, but in relationships—those gifted to us by our Heavenly Father, and modeled perfectly by Jesus Christ, who calls us His friends.

Good morning.

Not All Hills Are Mountains

 

Many of us have heard the saying, “Stop making a mountain out of a molehill,” or been hit with the accusation, “Stop being a drama queen.” But when we’re in recovery, learning to take a breath, relax, and calmly assess the situation in front of us can feel like one of the hardest lessons of all. Anxiety relief, in many cases, turns out to be the real hidden hope—not solving everything at once, but softening our panic long enough to regain clarity.

So, does letting our emotions spiral out of control help us regain control of our lives?
My experience tells me: absolutely not.

My Real-Life Example

Each day, I face the ongoing challenges of managing a household mostly on my own. There’s always something—fixing a fence, dealing with a broken dishwasher, keeping up with responsibilities. I can easily find myself running in circles, trying to do everything, accomplishing little, and feeling overwhelmed in the process.

But I’ve learned there’s another way: a spiritual approach.
Instead of trying to conquer the mountain all at once, I can start small and grounded—like the Serenity Prayer teaches. I begin with what I can do in this moment: I get out of bed, make the bed, wash my face, and greet the day with kindness and hope. These small acts reorient my focus and give me traction in moments when I feel like I’m slipping.

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🛠 Recovery Expressions That Help

1. HALT — Don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.
   Emotional storms often start with neglecting basic needs.

2. One Day at a Time —
   Break the day into simple, manageable pieces. Stay present.

3. Easy Does It (But Do It) —
   Calm, steady action beats frantic effort every time.

4. Don’t Go to the Hardware Store for Milk —
   Don’t expect everything from yourself. Let others help. Delegate. Ask.

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💭 Philosophical Anchors

• Epictetus: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
  A molehill feels like a mountain when we give it too much power.

• Taoist wu wei (無為): Effortless action.
  Instead of forcing solutions, flow calmly with what is. Act gently but persistently.

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🙏 Spiritual Axioms That Ground Me

1. The Serenity Prayer

   “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

2. Matthew 6:34

   “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
   Don’t borrow trouble from tomorrow.

3. Mosiah 4:27 (Book of Mormon)

   “…it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.”
   Pace matters. Rest is holy.

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Putting It All Together

When I take time to see clearly, I realize the Grand Teton Range of mountains in my life are often just molehills dressed up in drama. With the right mindset, these bumps in the road can be gently stepped over—not feared, not exaggerated. I can choose to live peacefully, do what I can, and let go of what I can’t.

More importantly, I can truly begin to “change the things I can, with the wisdom to know the difference.”

Have a great day—and if today feels like a mountain, just start with the next small thing.